Men's Basketball Closes Season with Loss to Conference Leader Westfield State

Release by Andrew Mowry

Framingham, Mass. - Westfield State defeated Framingham State for their eighth consecutive victory on Tuesday night, 77-59 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action.  Seniors Lee Vazquez (Attleboro, Mass.) and Matt Devine (Pembroke, Mass.) led the way as the Owls now sit alone atop the MASCAC standings. 

Knowing it would be his final game for the Rams (8-17, 1-11 MASCAC), senior Tyrone Figueroa (Revere, Mass.) had a career night with 31 points on 10-for-18 shooting from the floor and 4-of-6 from behind the arc. 

Lee scored 28 points for the Owls, while Devine posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. 

"We need to get a win on Saturday and keep playing good basketball.  It's important to stay on a good run heading into the tournament," Devine said afterwards. 

Along with Figueroa, it was also the final game for FSU captain Rico DePaolis (Watertown, Mass.) and Sadick Sammy (Staten Island, NY), all whom were introduced with family and friends prior to tip-off. 

"I wanted to win for the underclassmen so they would be on the right step heading into next season," Figueroa said. 

 "Tonight was all about the seniors and sending them off right.  I'm proud of the seniors and the young-guys sticking behind them", FSU Interim Head Coach Evan O'Brien said. 

Westfield State (20-4, 9-2 MASCAC) will host Fitchburg State on Saturday in their final regular season contest.

Devine has his eyes on this prize in his final season however, "This is all our last chance to do it, our goal is to win a MASCAC Championship. "